Communication Mode Ranking by Recipient Context and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication technologies lack an efficient method to determine the optimal communication mode based on the recipient's context and available communication modes, often resulting in intrusive or costly methods being used unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a central processing server to determine the recipient's context and rank available communication modes based on rules, such as availability, location, and communication costs, to suggest the most appropriate mode to the sender.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell phone is used to contact the individual, then the individual can be reached with high probability, but the individual may be disturbed during busy or meeting times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining the recipient's context and availability status before initiating communication. It ranks multiple communication modes in advance based on predicted success probability and intrusion level, allowing the sender to choose the most appropriate mode without trial-and-error attempts that cause intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts communication mode selection based on real-time context information about the recipient. It adjusts the ranking of communication modes according to changing conditions such as recipient availability, current activity, and communication urgency, ensuring optimal balance between reachability and intrusion minimization.
2Ease of operation
If cell phone calls are used for communication, then communication convenience is improved, but communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cost analysis by evaluating multiple communication modes before actual communication occurs. It calculates and ranks modes based on cost factors including airtime charges, data usage, and potential communication failures, enabling senders to select cost-effective options without incurring unnecessary expenses through failed or inappropriate communication attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of communication mode selection by introducing context-aware ranking that considers both convenience and cost parameters. It transforms the static choice of communication modes into a dynamic selection process that adapts to recipient context, communication urgency, and cost constraints, optimizing the balance between ease of operation and energy loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication technologies are adopted, then communication versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex task of communication mode selection into distinct evaluation components: context determination, availability assessment, cost calculation, and ranking generation. Each component handles a specific aspect independently, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable while supporting multiple communication technologies and modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal ranking mechanism that works across multiple communication technologies and modes. The context determination and ranking algorithms are technology-agnostic, capable of evaluating email, instant messaging, voice calls, video calls, and other modes through a unified framework, reducing system complexity despite supporting diverse communication options.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating information includes ranking, by a central processing server, one or more available communication modes according to a context of a recipient of a communication and one or more rules. The ranked available communication modes may be communicated to a sender of the communication. The context of the recipient corresponds to the availability of the recipient and/or the location of the recipient. The available communication modes correspond to capabilities associated with devices that are in proximity with the recipient. Whether devices are in proximity with the recipient is accomplished by locating the devices via a device location server. The communication modes may be ranked according to a cost and/or appropriateness of the available communication modes.